In the centre of Gura Văii stands a wooden church dating back to 1680. South of the village, in the former hamlet of Pătrăşcani, there is another historic church. Archaeological settlement sites add evidence of much earlier periods to the history of these churches. The different locations and periods provide several clear points of reference for the village’s history.
Churches from Different Centuries
The wooden church “Biserica de lemn cu hramul «Sf. Nicolae» de la Gura Văii” is located in the centre of the village and was built in 1680. South of Gura Văii, in the former hamlet of Pătrăşcani, stands the church “Biserica cu hramurile «Adormirea Maicii Domnului şi Sf. Ştefan» de la Gura Văii”. It was built in 1750 by Ștefan Roset Velban and extended in the 19th century. The two churches bring together different construction periods and different locations.
The church “Naşterea Maicii Domnului” in Gura Văii was originally named Biserica «Sf. Nicolae», din Râpile de Jos, and received its current name in 1963. Its iconostasis contains seven large icons, painted in the second half of the 18th century. The history of the name and the church’s furnishings can be placed in context: the icons date from an earlier period than the change to its current name.
The Heroes’ Monument “Monumentul Eroilor de la Biserica Pătrășcani” is also a historic point of reference; it was erected in 1919.
Archaeology and Early Settlement
North of the village of Gura Văii, on Coşuri Hill, lies the Gura Văii–La Coşuri archaeological site, about 1.5 kilometres north of the commune centre. Another archaeological site is the Pătrășcani-Siliște settlement in Gura Văii commune. It was inhabited during the Early Bronze Age and during phases Ic3 and Ic2 of the Monteoru culture. These settlement phases date back much further than the construction years of the churches mentioned above.
Local History and Landscape
Historically, Gura Văii was a Răzeși village. Its former settlement centre was at Huitoare, on the slope of Runcu Hill. As the village developed, its main settlement shifted to the left bank of the Trotuș. The former centre and the later shift in the settlement’s focus are two distinct stages in the village’s history.
Gura Văii commune lies in the Eastern Carpathian Subcarpathians and the Trotuș Depression. It is also situated at the transition between the Pietricica Ridge and the Tazlău–Cașin Depression. The hilly part of the commune is mostly forested; to the southwest, the Trotuș forms the natural boundary of the commune.
Getting Around
County road DJ 119 crosses the commune and connects the Bacău–Onești route with the commune’s localities, including Gura Văii. Public transport in the commune is organised across six routes with a total length of 260 kilometres; there are also nine developed bus stops. Before setting off, check the specific travel options if you plan to use public transport.
There is a playground in the village of Gura Văii; confirm its current condition before visiting. Cultural events are held regularly in the commune and also attract interest from residents of other places. If an event is important to your trip, check in advance which dates fall during your stay.
Discover more destinations: Darmanesti, Moinesti, Onești, Preluci, Cerdac, Horgești, Ghimeș-Făget, Comăneşti.
Back to the main travel overview: Bacau.
